BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has stirred controversy with pointed remarks aimed at Indian-origin New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. In a social media post on Wednesday, Ranaut questioned Mamdani’s cultural identity and accused him of aligning more closely with Pakistan than India- both in name and ideology.
Zohran Mamdani, 33, is the son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani. He recently defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a surprise upset during the Democratic primary for New York City’s mayoral race. Born in Uganda and raised in New York since the age of seven, Mamdani has positioned himself as a progressive voice in U.S. politics.
Reacting to his political ascent, Ranaut wrote:
“His mother is Mira Nair, one of our finest filmmakers, Padma Shri awardee, a beloved daughter of Bharat now based in New York. She married Mehmood Mamdani, of Gujarati origin, a celebrated author. Their son is named Zohran, and honestly, he sounds more Pakistani than Indian.”
She went further, questioning his religious and ideological leanings:
“Whatever happened to his Hindu identity or bloodline? And now he’s ready to erase Hinduism altogether, wow! It’s the same story everywhere,” she added. “On a different note, I’ve met Mira ji a few times. Congratulations to the parents,” she concluded.
Criticism Across Party Lines
Ranaut’s remarks come amid a wave of criticism against Mamdani in Indian political circles. Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi also weighed in on the controversy, accusing Mamdani of consistently taking anti-India positions on global platforms.
“When Zohran Mamdani opens his mouth, Pakistan’s PR team takes the day off,” Singhvi posted on X (formerly Twitter). “India doesn’t need enemies with ‘allies’ like him shouting fiction from New York.”
Though Mamdani has not directly responded to the criticism from Indian leaders, the backlash appears rooted in his vocal positions on issues like Kashmir, Indian nationalism, and Hindutva stances that have drawn support among progressive U.S. voters but strong disapproval from Indian political voices across the spectrum.
Progressive Candidate, Polarising Image
Mamdani’s political platform focuses on progressive causes such as universal healthcare, affordable housing, food justice, a $30 minimum wage, and secularism. His victory in the Democratic primary has been hailed by American left-leaning groups as a major win for grassroots activism.
Born in Kampala on October 18, 1991, Mamdani moved to the United States at the age of seven. He currently represents Astoria, Queens, in the New York State Assembly and is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America.
Despite his domestic appeal in U.S. politics, his critiques of Indian government policies; particularly on human rights and religious freedom have drawn criticism from Indian lawmakers, who accuse him of misrepresenting India’s internal affairs on foreign soil.
A Larger Debate Over Diaspora Politics
Ranaut’s comments, while directed at Mamdani, reflect a broader anxiety within sections of Indian politics about diaspora figures who, in their view, stray too far from their civilizational roots. The clash highlights growing ideological fault lines between Indian nationalism and diasporic progressivism, especially among second-generation South Asians in Western politics.
As the political spotlight intensifies around Mamdani’s mayoral bid, his critics in India appear determined to keep the conversation about more than just city governance; it’s now also about culture, identity, and the politics of belonging.